Another successful year for NE1 Zapcat Grand Prix on the Tyne

For the third year running, over 25,000 people gathered on the banks of the Tyne on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August to watch the adrenalin fuelled powerboat action of the NE1 Zapcat Grand Prix. The Zapcat teams competed for the coveted title of NE1 Grand Prix winner, with the title this year going to Boat 38, Speedy Hire piloted by Darren Ford and Kelly Allen. The thrills and spills adrenalin action held Newcastle enthralled for two days with social media buzzing with news and photographs of the events on the river.  Crowds basked in two days of sunshine to watch the drama unfold on the Tyne, and this year the NE1 Grand Prix was the most exciting and entertaining to date with thrills and spills including and the occasional boat tipping over made for a  fiercely contested race to the finish for the winner. Sunday’s final was a nail biting spectacle that drew even greater crowds to the Quayside with this year’s winners, Speedy Hire neck and neck with last year’s champions Haggis Hunters until the final race when Haggis Hunters had to withdraw due to engine problems. Commenting on this year’s event, Stephen Patterson, Director of Communications at NE1 Ltd and organiser of the event said: “NE1 Zapcat Grand Prix is always a big hit with the public and competitors alike as it brings the crowds close to the racing action with Newcastle Quayside providing excellent vantage points to view the races and cheer on the teams.  The sun shone and the Zapcat teams didn’t disappoint with the most competitive racing experienced so far, culminating in a nail biting final with Speedy Hire coming out on top.” NE1 Zapcat Grand Prix also signals the end of NE1’s summertime events programme – the last week in August saw NE1 screen the final NE1 Monument Movie of 2014 and at the end of September, NE1’s Quayside Seaside will be packed away deck chairs and all, until next summer.